36 Class III. Order III. 



40. BRIZA. 



BRIZA CANADENSIS. Mich, Rattlesnake grass. 



Panicle lax, spikelets erect, with from four to ten 

 florets ; calyx very small ; outer valve of the corollas 

 oval, acute. 



A large grass found in meadows and readily recognized by its 

 swelling- spikelets. Stem erect, smooth. Leaves rough on the 

 back. Panicle loose, with slender branches, nodding. Spike- 

 lets numerous, on distinct footstalks, ovate, erect or nodding. 

 Vaives of the calyx short and narrow. Outer valve of the co- 

 rolla oval, inflated, acute, with a scarious point and margin. 

 Inner valve obtuse. July. 



BRIZA MEDIA. L. Smaller Quaking grass. 



Panicle erect ; spikelets cordate, about seven flow- 

 ered ; calyx smaller than the florets. 



A light slender grass, a foot high. Spikelets at first ovate, 

 afterwards cordate, shedding the florets easily. Pastures, South 

 Boston, Dorchester. June. 



Probably introduced from Europe. 



41. FESTUCA. 

 FESTUCA ELATIOR. L. Tall Fescue grass. 



Panicle drooping, spreading loosely every way, 

 much branched ; spikelets ovate-lanceolate, acute ; 

 florets cylindrical, obscurely ribbed. Sm. 



Stem three or four feet high, glabrous. Leaves wide and 

 long, smooth, with a rough margin Panicle large, decompound, 

 loose and nodding. Spikelets numerous, pedunculated, ovate- 

 oblong, acute. Glumes of the calyx unequal, acute, keeled, 

 glabrous. Florets numerous, two ranked, glabrous. Meadows 

 and thickets. June. Perennial. 



This is a very productive aud useful grass. 



FESTUCA TENELLA. Willd. Small Fescue grass. 



Panicle spiked, very simple, secund ; spikelets 



about nine flowered ; florets subulate, longer than 



